Saturday, January 11, 2020

Review ~ Waiting for You (The Spencer Family Book 1) by Andrea Boyd + GIVEAWAY!!!

Giveaway Closed!!!
Wendy Newcomb won the ebook Waiting for You!!!


About the Book
Responsibility—that one word sums up Wade Spencer’s existence since his father’s death. Thrust into the role of head of the family, he’s keeping the farm running and his younger siblings in line. When a life-threatening illness attacks his momma, he readily steps in to support her. Sure would be nice to have someone by his side to help carry the load, but all that responsibility hasn’t left much time for dating. Or maybe it’s just his reserved nature holding him back.

Dani Connor had gotten everything she ever dreamed of as a child. Married her high school sweetheart, had a sweet little girl she could shower with all the love she’d been denied by her own parents, and built a life far away from the farm. When those dreams come crashing down, she realizes that back at home on the farm is where she should have stayed.

It doesn’t take long after Dani’s return to Shiloh for Wade to realize she’s the one God has in mind, but Dani will have to get over past hurts and take another chance if she wants Wade to be part of her new dreams.

About the Author
Andrea Boyd has always been a dreamer. Once her most awesome job of raising her wonderful children was over, she decided to take up the challenge of putting these dreams into words and sharing them with the rest of the world. Besides writing, she loves spending time with her family, quilting, going to car shows, and driving around in her 1968 Barracuda convertible. Andrea lives with her husband, Tommy, and at least a couple of cats in York County, SC

Connect with Andrea at any of the following:












My Review
5 STARS!!!

Nevertheless, Your will, not mine, Lord.

I had so many emotions floating around while reading Waiting for You. Boyd brings complicated family dynamics out in full force. Wade Spencer is a man after God’s own heart and lives as such. At almost 30, he lacks dating experience that some might find weird but I thought it was a nice touch. He’s a kind, compassionate man with a killer sense of humor. He had me laughing one minute and the next in tears with the way he took such loving care of his mom, Leora, who is diagnosed with cancer.  

The Spencer children rally around their mom and the realistic portrayal of their reactions to her diagnosis really hit home. There’s a scene with Jolene (a Spencer sister) and her mom in the bathroom after one of the chemo treatments. Leora is sick and laying on the floor. Something happens (no spoiler) and Leora knows how emotionally vulnerable her daughter is at that moment. It brought me right back to the days I spent with my own mom during her cancer and chemo treatments. Let’s just say I was a blubbering mess and had to reach for a tissue.

If I get emotionally tied to the hero in a story, it’s a challenge for me to connect with the heroine. In this case, that’s Dani Sutherland. Don’t get me wrong, there were moments that I was cheering her on, and some of the scenes between her and her dad choked me up. But I just couldn’t relate to her. I can’t put my finger on it but I think it's because I'm so keen on Wade.

The supporting characters are exceptionally written. I liked how they each face obstacles and we get to see, for the most part, how those are handled.

I’m dubbing this book ‘country as cornbread’ because it clearly portrays much of the vernacular that is true to the Carolinas. In one scene, Wade has the windows down on his truck and Charlie Pride blaring on the radio. Back in the day my daddy liked to listen to Charlie Pride and it brought back fond memories.

I enjoyed every moment spent with the Spencer family and look forward to each of the siblings getting their own stories. Chase already has his in Mistletoe Kiss (Sweet Tea Holiday Collection). It’s a super cute novella you won’t want to miss!

My thanks to the author for an electronic copy of the book. I was not required to write a review. 
All opinions are my own.


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GIVEAWAY

The author is offering an ebook copy of Waiting for You to one of my blog readers! It will be in the form of a book code that anyone should be able to retrieve. That means if you live outside the US, you can enter!!! 

Leave a comment AND an email address!!!

Ends Jan 16!


Friday, January 10, 2020

Rebecca Reviews ~ End Game (Capital Intrigue #1 ) by Rachel Dylan

Paperback, 320 pages
Published January 7th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers


When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.

With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them. 




Rebecca's Review
4 STARS!!!


"These people are willing to kill to protect their secrets."

One by one, members of the most highly trained branches of the US military are being murdered in cold blood; not to mention that one of their own is the prime suspect, although the Navy SEAL vehemently insists upon his innocence. When NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini and FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan form an investigative team to track down the killer or killers, the clues they unearth multiply into questions that quickly spiral out of control. They've stumbled onto something bigger than they ever imagined; including their own unexpected attraction.

"End Game" proves to be an exacting blend of story and character, and although the plot moves quickly, the reader has no reason to feel rushed in and out of the story. The secondary characters are beautifully layered in between the primary ones, and the inspirational elements; although light, are strategically placed. But what seals the deal, so to speak, is the brilliant plotting, which is nearly impossible to crack, which makes this "end game" all the more enjoyable.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.


Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With over 30 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Review ~ Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps #1) by Lynette Eason

Paperback, 320 pages
Published January 7th 2020 by Fleming H. Revell Company
About the Book
Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.


Learn more about the author ~ Lynette Eason website

Purchase Link
CBD


My Review
4 STARS!!!

Collateral Damage is an intense start to Eason’s new Danger Never Sleeps series. Numerous twists and turns kept me glued to the page. Brooke and Asher are strong characters both reeling from trauma sustained in Afghanistan while serving in the US Army.

I enjoyed getting to know the backstory of each and watching how they navigated murky waters when dealing with PTSD. I felt like I gained a bit of perspective and compassion for our current and past military members.

Eason delves into a deep and dark stratum of society that completely took me by surprise. I was saddened and disturbed that some of the ‘enemies’ would be among those we normally think of as heroes. That left me slightly disheartened (as it should) but I did find the story mesmerizing.

I recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense because watching Brooke and Asher’s relationship develop was endearing, and Eason’s criminals are chilling.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.


Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Rebecca's Top Reads in 2019

My Favorite Reads of 2019  - A Baker’s Dozen

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With over 30 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".





Top Three

The Curse of Misty Wayfair - Jamie Jo Wright
The Bright Unknown - Elizabeth Byler Younts
The Spice King - Elizabeth Camden


Top Ten


Whose Waves These Are - Amanda Dykes
The Flight of the Raven - Morgan Busse
The Number of Love- Roseanna White



Until the Mountains Fall - Connilyn Cossette
The Seamstress - Allison Pittman
Echoes Among the Stones - Jamie Jo Wright



How the Light Gets In - Jolina Petersheim
My Dearest Dietrich - Amanda Barratt
Castle on the Rise - Kristy Cambron
Between Two Shores  -Jocelyn Green


Thanks to all our readers who followed along in 2019 with your kind comments!
We appreciate each one of you.

I've only read three of these books but I have several others marked 'to read' in the future. That's what I love about having Rebecca for a book buddy.
We always have quite a different selection of books that 'speak' to us.

How about you? Have you read any of these books? We would love for you to leave a comment and let us know!

~May the Lord bless you in 2020~

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Anne's Top Reads of 2019 + GIVEAWAY of Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

Hello Friends! 

Happy New Year!!! 

I took a break from blogging over the Christmas holiday to spend extra time with my husband (who surprised me with two weeks at home) and my youngest son who came to visit for a few days. We had a lovely time together celebrating our Lord's birth. We ate lots of food and had interesting conversations, watched a lot of TV and played a rousing game of Liebrary. It's one of our favorites. My husband and I have also been working on a big project and it is almost finished! 


I 'officially' read 71 books this year according to Goodreads! Many of them were engrossing Christian fiction books in genres from Regency to Thriller/Suspense to an absolutely beautiful Women's Fiction story. It was hard to choose which ones to highlight but here are 11. They're not in any particular order. 

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Until the Mountains Fall (Cities of Refuge 3) by Connilyn Cossette powerfully balances tension and humor in such an eloquent way; completed by its cast of fallible, relatable characters. 


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Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is a fast-paced, danger-infused story. 


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Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright  held me captive with its deep story, fabulous mystery, and exceptionally well-written characters. 


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Storm Rising (The Book of the Wars 1) by Ronie Kendig is filled with bold and valorous characters. Kendig's writing is top notch!

 
A Match for Emma (Mitchell's Crossroads #3) by Pepper Basham drew me in with snappy dialogue, sharp wit, and love. Lots of love.


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The Noble Guardian (The Bow Street Runners #3) by Michelle Griep delves deep into restoration through Christ alone and offers hope to the most bone weary and burdened soul.

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Sweet on You (Bradford Sisters Romance #3) by Becky Wade  is a beautiful story of love and self-discovery.


The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright  has just the right amount of creep factor in this ‘ghostly’ tale of lies, loves, and the living to keep me glued to the pages.

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Now and Then and Always (Maple Valley #1) by Melissa Tagg is a storyworld like no other and one that any reader would want to live in.


Moments We Forget (Thatcher Sisters #2) by Beth K Vogt is amazing, intense and convicting.


A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh (Daughters of Aynsley #1) by Carolyn Miller  encompasses hidden depths and multiple layers that make it much deeper and richer than any ordinary Regency.

Image from Susan May Warren Fiction (Facebook)

All FIVE books in the Montana Marshalls Series by Susan May Warren were released in 2019 
and absolutely fabulous!!!

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In a few days, I will share some of my favorite novellas I read in 2019. 



I have an extra paperback copy of Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig I'm happy to pass along!

~ GIVEAWAY RULES~

1) Leave a comment and let me know if you've read any of the books above or share with me some of your favorite books of 2019. They don't have to be fiction! :-)

2) Leave your email address in a non-spammy format (jane at doe dot com). If I can't email the winner, then I have to choose another one.

US Only (48 contiguous states) due to the high cost of postage.

Giveaway will end Jan 6th.